ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
President of India inaugurates Hornbill Festival and State Formation Day celebrations of Nagaland
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Hornbill Festival and State Formation Day celebrations of Nagaland today  in Kisama.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the Hornbill Festival is the perfect showcase of rich Naga culture and traditions, preserved over the years in the form of music, dance and food. The Hornbill Festival at Kisama and the International Music Festival represent the diversity of Naga society.
The President said that the past half-century has been one of both achievements and difficulties for Nagaland. The people of the state have come through many trials, but their essential talent and wisdom, and their essential goodness, has been so apparent. Today Nagaland is at the edge of making history. After years of insurgency, there is hope. With the support of the people of the state, of civil society institutions and all stake-holders, there is an opportunity for lasting peace. He expressed confidence that a final agreement – one that is fair to all and meets the expectations and aspirations of all – will be reached soon.
The President said that the youth of Nagaland are the pride of the country. They are the true legatees of Dr T. Ao, the doctor-sportsperson who was the first captain of our national football team after Independence, leading the team in the London Olympics of 1948. Young people from Nagaland are role models for the rest of India. An illustrious daughter of this state, Temsutula Imsong has won the hearts of the nation for her remarkable work in cleaning the ghats of the river Ganga in Varanasi. Another Naga girl – Chiewelou Thele – was adjudged the best trainee commando in her batch of police officers of Delhi Police. And as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President said he is immensely proud of our Naga soldiers and officers. They are among the best we have.
The President said that Nagaland has so much to offer. The strength of the state lies in its organic farm produce, flowers and fruits. Nagaland has rare medicinal plants and herbs that can help create jobs and boost the economy. He mentioned Naga jolokia, called King Chilli locally, one of the hottest chilli peppers of the world, and said we need to bottle it into one of the hottest selling sauces of the world. He stated that Nagaland has also the potential to be an attractive tourist destination, offering a unique blend of heritage and culture and spectacular natural beauty.
The President said that our country is making great strides and is among the world’s fastest growing economies. We are also a diverse nation. Our linguistic, ethnic, religious and geographical variety makes India special – and this is our biggest strength. It is an exciting time to be an Indian. And it is an exciting time to be a Naga. Nagaland and the Northeast are central to the India story. Without the development of Nagaland, the development of India will be incomplete.
Ministry of Defence
BENEFITS OF OROP SCHEME
The Government took a historic decision of implementing One Rank One Pension  for Defence Forces Personnel with effect from 01.07.2014. In this regard, Government issued orders on 07.11.2015 and detailed guidelines along with rates of pension were issued on 03.02.2016 for implementation of OROP. OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to Defence Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement, which implies bridging the gap between the rates of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals. Salient features of the OROP are as follows:
- Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective from 01.07.2014.
- Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service.
- Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.
- Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly installments. However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalized family pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one installment.
- In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.
- Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13I, 13II, 13III or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.
In the financial year 2016-17 budget allotment of Rs 12,456 crore was made for OROP payments. No separate allotments have been made in other years. A total of Rs 10,795.40 crore have been disbursed as arrears for implementation of OROP to Defence Forces Pensioners/ Family Pensioners. However, OROP is not paid as a separate element. It is integrated part of pension. As such amount of additional expenditure incurred is not available.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Prakash Javadekar in Rajya Sabha on February 07, 2022.
ABB/Savvy
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
252 Lakh Metric Ton  wheat procurement done so far
Current Wheat procurement crosses last year total procurement figure of 188 LMT
20 lakh farmers benefitted with more than Rs. 47,000 crores MSP
Nearly 252 Lac Metric Ton  procurement of wheat has been done till 9th May, 2023 during ongoing Rabi Marketing Season  2023-24. This figure is 75 Lakh MT higher than the corresponding date during RMS 2022-23.
The current procurement  has already surpassed the total procurement of 188 Lac MT wheat during entire RMS 2022-23. Food Corporation of India along with other State Agencies are engaged in the Procurement operations and the procurement is continuing smoothly in all the procuring States across the country.
About 20 Lakh farmers have already been benefitted so far from the ongoing wheat procurement operations, with payment of more than Rs. 47,000 crores  directly credited to their Bank Accounts. More farmers are yet to be benefitted since the procurement is continuing; and on daily average, more than 2 Lakh MT wheat is still being procured. Major contribution in the procurement has come from three wheat procuring states of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh with procurement of 118.68 LMT, 62.18 LMT and 66.50 LMT respectively.
One of the major factors, contributing the progressive procurement this year, is the relaxation in quality specifications of wheat being procured, extended by Govt. of India. This has been granted in view of untimely rains leading to luster loss. This will reduce the hardship of farmers and check any distress sale.
The Government of India has also allowed all the states to open procurement centres at villages/ panchayat level and to carry out the procurement through Co-operative Societies/ Gram Panchayats/ Arhatias etc. also, in addition to already existing designated procurement centres, for better outreach.
The rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. A quantity of 366 LMT of rice has been procured till 09.05.2023 during kharif crop of KMS 2022-23 with another 140 LMT yet to be procured. Further, a quantity of 106 LMT rice has been estimated to be procured during the Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23.
The combined stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool, has reached 580 LMT  which puts the country in a comfortable position to meet its requirements of food grains. With the ongoing procurement of wheat and rice, the food grains stock levels are on rise in Government granaries ensuring Food Security to entire nation.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves accession to the Protocol under WHO Framework Convention on tobacco control to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products
The Union Cabinet Chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given approval to accede to the Protocol under World Health Organization  Framework Convention on tobacco control to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. It will be applicable to both smoking and chewing or smokeless tobacco  forms as negotiated and adopted under Article 15 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control . India is a party to WHO FCTC.
Details:
The protocol lays down obligations of the parties. It spells out supply chain control measures that must be adopted by the parties viz. licensing of manufacture of tobacco products and machinery for manufacturing of tobacco products, due diligence to be kept by those engaged in production, tracking and tracing regime, record keeping, security; and measures to be taken by those engaged in e-commerce, manufacturing in free-trade zones and duty free sales.
The protocol lists out offences, enforcement measures such as seizures and disposal of seized products. It calls for international cooperation in information sharing, maintaining confidentiality, training, technical assistance and cooperation in scientific and technical and technological matters.
Impact:
Elimination of illicit trade in tobacco products through strengthened regulation will help in strengthening comprehensive tobacco control, leading to reduction in tobacco use which in turn, will result in reduction in disease burden and mortality associated with tobacco use.
Accession to such treaty will provide actionable alternatives against such prevailing practices that are affecting public health at large. India, being at the forefront of tobacco control, would be able to influence the international organizations including World Custom Organization in controlling such illicit trade.
The protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products is a path breaking initiative in strengthening global action against tobacco and is also a new legal instrument in public health. It is a comprehensive tool to counter and eventually eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products and to strengthen legal dimensions for international health cooperation.
Background:
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control  is the first international public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO. The objective of FCTC is to provide a framework for supply and demand reduction measures for tobacco control at the national, regional and global levels.
One of the key tobacco supply reduction strategies contained in Article 15 of WHO FCTC envisages elimination of all forms of illicit trade and tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting. Accordingly, the said Protocol was developed and adopted by the Conference of Parties  which is the governing body of FCTC. The protocol is divided into 10 parts and contains 47 Articles.
Ministry of Power
Go Electric Campaign
Ministry of Power, Government of India, launched "Go Electric" Campaign on 19 February, 2021 with the objective of creating awareness among masses on benefits of adopting Electric Vehicles and Electric Cooking appliances such as Induction cook hobs, Electric pressure cooker etc. This initiative is intended to encourage consumers to switch over to Electric Vehicles and Electric Cooking in place of currently used conventional modes and appliances, thereby, reducing dependency of the country on imported fuel.
The "Go Electric" Campaign is aimed at promoting adoption of Energy Efficient Electric Vehicles and Electric Cooking appliances and is expected to help the country to achieve energy transition as well as low carbon economic growth in the future. These technologies being energy efficient, are expected to scale down mobility and cooking related emissions, securing cleaner and greener future. The share of renewables in the energy mix is expected to increase due to integration of more renewable based power generation. Benefits of adopting these electricity based technologies shall be completely realized by enhancing share of renewables in the Grid.
The Minister of State  for Power, New & Renewable Energy and the Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh stated this in a written reply in the LokSabha here today.
Ministry of Railways
Kolkata Metro Railway is set to become member of elite club of London, Moscow, Berlin, Munich, and Istanbul Metro
Indian Railways’ Kolkata Metro plans to replace steel third rail with composite Aluminium third rail
Total 35 km mainline steel Third Rail shall be replaced in stages
It will result in huge savings in traction energy costs like a straight saving of ₹210 Crores capital investment for 35 km of Metro corridor
Kolkata Metro Railway, India’s first Metro built by Indian Railways on 24th October 1984, has been serving as a lifeline for Kolkata, the city of Joy for nearly 40 long years.
In Kolkata Metro Railway, the power to Metro Rake is supplied to rolling stock at 750V DC through steel Third Rail. The Third Rail Current Collector  made of steel fitted on metro rake collects the current from Third Rail. Kolkata Metro Railway using steel Third Rail for the last 40 years. Kolkata Metro Railway has now decided to use composite Aluminium Third Rail in all the upcoming corridors being undertaken for construction along with retro fitment in existing corridor with steel Third Rail. With this Metro Railway, Kolkata would become the member of elite club of London, Moscow, Berlin, Munich, and Istanbul Metro who have also shifted from steel Third Rail to Aluminium Third Rail.
In this regard, Metro Railway Kolkata has floated a tender for replacement of existing Third Rail, in the first phase to cover the section between Dumdum to Shyambazar. In the second phase work would be taken up from Shyambazar to Central and J D Park to Tollygunge. In the third phase, the section between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar  to Kavi Subhash  shall be taken up. So, total 35 RKm main line steel Third Rail shall be replaced in stages.
The obvious advantages of aluminium composite Third Rail over steel Third Rail are as under :
- Reduction in resistive current loss and improved Traction voltage level as the resistance of steel Third Rail is around six times higher than composite Aluminium Third Rail.
- On an average, for 10 km corridor with use of Aluminium composite Third Rail would require 01 no. less Traction Substation compared to steel Third Rail i.e. a straight saving of approx.₹210 Crores capital investment for a 35 km of Metro corridor.
- The reduced voltage drop shall facilitate achieving faster acceleration with the same rake available with Kolkata Metro Railway.
- Reduced maintenance and life cycle cost. The requirement of painting of Third Rail every 5 years may not be needed anymore. The frequency of measurement of Third Rail dimension may reduce significantly. There may be no possibility of damage due to rusting etc
- Improvement in the efficiency of train operations.
- Huge improvement in Energy Efficiency and reduction in carbon footprint.
- Estimated energy saving using composite Aluminium Third Rail may be approximately 6.7 million units per annum.
- Improved headway of the trains.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 494
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 192.65 Crore
More than 11 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 192.65 Crore  today. More than 11 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10406642
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10035972
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
5150047
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18418469
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17577004
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
8497559
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
33152453
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
14775851
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
59260091
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
45076824
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
556940075
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
488077962
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
656445
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203211051
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
190406761
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1240352
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127063341
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
118727395
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17878463
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1008452122
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
884677769
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
33422866
|
|
Total
|
|
1926552757
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 24th May, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
31
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
541
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12349
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
66
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1157
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
34975
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
109365
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
243952
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
26785
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
84760
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
31677
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
272274
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
25429
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5240
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
63232
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
24748
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3369
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
45172
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
152994
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
176533
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
711088
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
250495
|
|
Total
|
|
1138116
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar Assumes Charge; says creating livelihood for Artisans & Popularizing Khadi Globally will be Priority
The newly-appointed Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission , Shri Manoj Kumar assumed the charge on Friday, 15th July 2022. After taking over as the Chairman, Shri Manoj Kumar said realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” would be his priority while also establishing maximum number of small and micro units and creating self-employment through various schemes of KVIC to achieve the larger goal of self-reliant India. He said KVIC would continue working on the vision of the PM that would make the youths “Job-givers” instead of being “job-seekers”.
Shri Manoj Kumar, who has worked as Expert Member  at KVIC, has a vast experience in the areas of marketing and rural development. He believes that Khadi is spreading like a “silent revolution” in the country which is being led by the PM. He said the achievements of “Khadi India” in the last 8 years have been outstanding.
The KVIC Chairman said he would sure that the money disbursed by the government reached directly into the hands of Khadi artisans that would, in turn, pave the way for economic empowerment of the weaker sections of the society particularly the poorest of the poor. He said the KVIC would strive to ensure that every hand gets sufficient work and is fairly remunerated for their works.
Shri Manoj Kumar said he would follow the mantra of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” and “Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion and Khadi for Transformation” to take the brand Khadi India to new heights. “Popularizing Khadi on the global platform, the way it has gained popularity in India, will be a top priority. Our efforts will be to make Khadi “Global” from being a “Local” product so that Khadi’s demand increases significantly across the world,” Shri Manoj Kumar said.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition by Mr. Sanjay Chamria  of certain equity shares of Jaguar Advisory Services Private Limited , resulting in an indirect acquisition of certain equity shares of Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited  by SC.
The Competition Commission of India  approves the acquisition by Mr. Sanjay Chamria  of certain equity shares of Jaguar Advisory Services Private Limited , resulting in an indirect acquisition of certain equity shares of Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited  by SC.
The proposed combination is in the nature of an acquisition by Mr. Sanjay Chamria of an aggregate of 11,500 equity shares of Jaguar held by Poonawalla Fincorp Limited  and HDI Global SE , constituting 51.11% of the total equity share capital of Jaguar resulting in an indirect acquisition by SC of approximately 5.44% of the equity share capital of Magma HDI .
SC, an individual, is engaged in investing directly and through entities owned by him in various listed and unlisted enterprises.
Jaguar is a company incorporated in India is engaged in the business of provision of manpower supply services.
Magma HDI is a company incorporated in India is engaged in the business of general / non-life insurance in India and offers a complete range of general / non-life insurance products.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Defence
INS Airavat arrives at Visakhapatnam with COVID Relief Material from Vietnam and Singapore
As part of Operation Samudra Setu II, INS Airavat of the Eastern Naval Command arrived at Visakhapatnam on 03 Jun 21 with COVID Relief stores including Cryogenic Oxygen Tanks, Oxygen Cylinders and ventilators from Vietnam and Singapore.
Operation Samudra Setu-II was launched by the Indian Navy for shipment of COVID Relief material included filled medical Oxygen cryogenic tanks, cylinders and associated medical equipment from various countries in support of the nation’s fight against Covid-19.
As part of the operation, INS Airvat embarked 140 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen in seven Cryogenic Oxygen Tanks, 3898 Oxygen Cylinders and other COVID Relief material including 100 ventilators from Vietnam and Singapore which were facilitated by the Indian Missions. The consignment is being handed over to various Govt agencies and NGOs after disembarkation.
CGR/VM/MS
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Ministry of Defence
5TH EDITION OF AUSINDEX-23 AT SYDNEY
5th edition of biennial AUSINDEX maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy  was conducted from 22-25 August 23 at Sydney, Australia. INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata participated in the exercise along with HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane from RAN. Besides ships and their integral helicopters, the exercise also witnessed participation of fighter aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft.
Conducted over 4 days, AUSINDEX included a series of complex exercises in all three domains of maritime operations. The exercise ended on a high note revalidating the common procedures and reaffirming the close linkages and interoperability between Indian Navy and RAN.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah visits residence of the Late Union Minister, Shri Ram Vilas in New Delhi today to pay his last respects to the departed leader
Union Home Minister says Paswan Ji will always be remembered as a person having gentle behavior and for his work related to public welfare
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah visits residence of the Late Union Minister, Shri Ram Vilas in New Delhi today to pay his last respects to the departed leader.
Shri Amit Shah after his visit to the residence of the Late Union Minister’s residence in a tweet said, “Paid tribute to our senior Union Minister, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan ji. Paswan ji will always be remembered as a person having gentle behavior and for his work related to public welfare. May the grace of God be on him and may his family have the strength to bear this loss”.